When Therapy Isn’t Enough: Should you add medication for depression or anxiety?
By: Andrea Weber, PMHNP
Aspire Psychology | Portland OR
Therapy Can Be Transformative.
It gives you tools to cope, strategies to navigate life’s challenges and gives you forward momentum. But sometimes, even with consistent sessions and meaningful progress, you can still feel weighted down by depression or anxiety.
Is this true for you? Does your ability to manage daily responsibilities feel hindered or impaired? Are you finding it difficult to fully engage with your therapy goals? If the answer to any of these is yes, now is the right time to take the next step. Schedule a psychiatric assessment with one of Aspire Psychology’s psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners to determine whether adding medication could help you gain the traction you need to move forward in your life.
Why Medication Can Help
Medication isn’t a replacement for therapy — it’s often an empowering tool to help you get the most out of your therapy.
Medication can help you…
Find relief from symptoms so you can fully pursue what matters most to you.
Reduce emotional highs and lows so you can feel more balanced and steady in daily life.
Improve your ability to perform at work, succeed in school, and nurture your relationships.
Ease feelings of overwhelm so you can make meaningful progress.
Enhance your therapy work so you can strengthen coping skills and see lasting change.
Think of it as customized care — a way to address both the genetic and psychological aspects of your mental health.
Signs You Might Need Medication
Your symptoms persist despite regular therapy.
Daily life feels like a constant uphill climb.
Your sleep, appetite, or energy levels are significantly disrupted.
Stress feels unmanageable, even with strong coping tools.
Your PHQ-9 (depression) or GAD-7 (anxiety) test scores indicate moderate or severe symptoms.
These signs don’t mean you’ve failed at therapy — they mean you’re paying attention to your needs and exploring all available options.
How Medication Supports Therapy
When combined with therapy, medication can help you:
Make it easier to learn and apply coping skills in daily life.
Boost your mental energy so you can set and reach realistic goals.
Build a strong foundation for lasting growth and a better quality of life.
Our Approach to Medication Management at Aspire Psychology
At Aspire Psychology in Portland, Oregon, we approach medication management with a thoughtful, patient-centered philosophy that prioritizes your well-being and long-term success.
Our process is…
Personalized — Your treatment plan is carefully tailored to your unique symptoms, medical history, and personal goals.
Collaborative — Our licensed psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners work together to ensure your therapy and medication support one another seamlessly.
Empowering — You are an active partner in your care. We provide expert guidance while respecting your autonomy every step of the way.
At Aspire Psychology, we know that the best outcomes often come from combining therapy with medication management. When your psychiatric provider and therapist work together, your care is more coordinated and effective.
However, we also understand that some patients may choose to work solely with a psychiatric provider. If therapy is not right for you at this time, you can still get momentum with the right medications. For many, medication management alone can provide meaningful relief and support.
Whether you're integrating therapy or focusing just on medication, our psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners offer expert, personalized care. We monitor your progress, adjust treatment as needed, and help guide you toward the life you envision.
Take the First Step Toward Feeling Better
Wondering if medication might be right for you? Taking that first step can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. Our psychiatric providers, Brian Pollock, PMHNP, and Andrea Weber, PMHNP, are here to offer thoughtful, expert guidance rooted in compassion and clinical expertise.
Reach out today to schedule your appointment with Brian or Andrea at Aspire Psychology in Portland. We offer both in-person and telehealth visits, making it easier than ever to receive high-quality care—no matter where you are in Oregon.
Take the Next Step with These Self-Assessments
Not sure where to begin? These clinically validated screening tools can help you better understand what you're experiencing and whether medication management may be a helpful next step:
PHQ‑9 (Patient Health Questionnaire‑9)
A trusted, evidence-based tool that screens for symptoms of depression and helps measure severity. It takes just a few minutes to complete.
➤ Try the interactive version at PHQ-9.org, which offers a confidential experience with optional AI‑supported insights.
GAD‑7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder‑7)
A widely used, reliable questionnaire for identifying and measuring symptoms of anxiety.
➤ Take a quick, confidential version through Crown Counseling’s GAD‑7 quiz.
These assessments aren’t diagnostic, but they can provide helpful insight into your current mental health—and offer a great place to start a conversation with a provider at Aspire Psychology.
Ready to get help? Schedule your psychiatrist medication management session now!
